[Shadow_Group] Fw: ELEVEN CHRISTIANS ARRESTED, JAILED, AND CHARGED UNDER HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION

[shadowgroup-l at lists.resist.ca]

Update 10/11/04 
>> 
>>       ELEVEN CHRISTIANS ARRESTED, JAILED, AND CHARGED 
>>       UNDER HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION 
>> 
>> 
>>       PHILADELPHIA - On Sunday, October 10, 2004, eleven 
>>Christians with the Philadelphia-based Repent America were 
>>arrested, jailed, and charged under hate crimes legislation during 
>>an evangelistic outreach at the annual "OutFest" homosexual pride 
>>event held in the public streets of Philadelphia. 
>> 
>>       The six men and five women representing Repent America 
>>approached the event and were immediately confronted with unlawful 
>>opposition by a group of homosexuals. This group, the "Pink 
>>Angels", was formed by homosexual attorney Chuck Volz, a senior 
>>adviser to Philly Pride Presents, organizers of the annual OutFest 
>>event which receives $22,500 yearly from the City of Philadelphia. 
>>The "Pink Angels" blocked access to Repent America by forming a 
>>human chain, refusing to allow the Christians to walk down the 
>>public sidewalk. Police intervened shortly thereafter, escorting 
>>Repent America through the human blockade. 
>> 
>>       While on t! he public sidewalk and street inside the event, 
>>Repent America began to open-air preach with the use of Scripture 
>>banners, and to distribute Gospel literature, as members of the 
>>"Pink Angels" blew loud whistles and carried large signs alongside 
>>the Christians to block their message and their access to the event 
>>attendees, while others screamed obscenities. The police refused to 
>>take action as the Christians were continuously followed, 
>>obstructed, and harassed. 
>> 
>>       Repent America obeyed all laws, and even the unlawful 
>>requests, to move by the Philadelphia Civil Affairs police officers 
>>in an effort of cooperation. Regardless of Repent America's 
>>compliance, Chief James Tiano, head of the Civil Affairs Unit, 
>>without warning, ordered the arrests of the Christians and hauled 
>>them off to jail, where they spent 21 hours, before being released 
>>the following day. Ten Christians were individually charged with 
>>three felonies and five misdemeanors, while a teenager with the 
>>group w! as charged with a misdemeanor. 
>> 
>>       "This is one of the most remarkable and unlawful actions by 
>>police that I have ever witnessed. Their blatant disregard of the 
>>law by allowing hecklers to impede our way, block our message, and 
>>then arrest us, is inexcusable, especially by police officers who 
>>are specially trained to protect civil rights," stated Michael 
>>Marcavage, director of Repent America. "Christians are now being 
>>labeled as 'haters' and any speech that homosexuals perceive to be 
>>intimidating, such as our Christian witness at OutFest, makes them 
>>a prime target for 'hate crimes legislation'," Marcavage continued. 
>> 
>>       The three felonies and five misdemeanors include: Criminal 
>>Conspiracy (Felony), Possession of Instruments of Crime 
>>(Misdemeanor), Reckless Endangerment of Another Person 
>>(Misdemeanor), Ethnic Intimidation (Felony), Riot (Felony), Failure 
>>to Disperse (Misdemeanor), Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor), and 
>>Obstructing Highways (Misdemeanor). "We are cl! early 'not guilty' 
>>of these crimes, and with the help of our video footage, we shall 
>>be vindicated of these trumped up charges," Marcavage concluded. 
>> 
>>       The Christians are scheduled to be arraigned on October 18, 
>>2004 at 8:00AM in the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center. 
>> 
>>       Related Articles: 
>>       Protesters to attend OutFest 
>> 
>>       'Gays' try to ban protests at events 
>>       Philly Pride seeks court order to pre! vent 'Outfest' 
>>evangelism 
>> 
>>       REPENT AMERICA - CALLING A NATION IN REBELLION TOWARD GOD TO 
>>REPENTANCE 
>>       Repent America is an evangelistic ministry based in the 
>>birthplace of America, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
>> 
>>       Go to: REPENT AMERICA 
>> 
>>       NEW AT REPENTAMERICA.COM:  LISTEN TO THE BIBLE 
>> 
>> 

 
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